About
Retail Birmingham, the Business Improvement District for Birmingham city centre’s retail heart, has been working for its members since 2007, and we are now entering the final year of our first term.
What is a Business Improvement District (BID)?
A BID is a defined area within which local businesses work together to collectively invest in additional projects and services through a limited, non-profit company. It:
- prioritises the needs of local businesses
- is run by and for local businesses
- does not replace existing Council services
- is fair and transparent; everyone pays the same 1% levy
“Why do we need a BID?”
Over the last five years, Retail Birmingham has made significant changes to the way our city centre looks and feels, as well as how it is perceived on a regional and national level.
We are here to help during tough economic times, especially when the public sector is facing potential spending cuts. We listen to our members’ needs and act during this ‘age of austerity’ in their interests.
Below is a selection of our achievements to date:
- Invested £850,000/year into the BID area
- Developed the nationally recognised Style Birmingham brand and marketing and events programme
- Run the Street Wardens as an accessible, pro-active service for our members
- Created the ‘Celebration of Independents’ brand to promote our unique retailers
- Helped deliver key strategic plans for the city
- Deep cleansed 500,000m2 of pavement
- Produced and distributed 250,000 Shopping Guides and Maps region-wide
- Reduced bagged waste on our streets by 91.3%
- Maintained footfall well above the national average (+4.1% compared to +1.1% nationally )
- Traded strongly compared to British Retail Consortium figures (+1% compared to -0.6% nationally)
- Worked with West Midlands Police to reduced business crime by 31%
“Why should I pay the Retail Birmingham Levy?”
Retail Birmingham was developed to improve, manage and promote our city centre. As we look towards an uncertain economic future, Retail Birmingham is here to help its members prosper in tentative times.
…everyone eligible pays the 1% levy, making it transparent and avoiding freeloading
…everyone can have a say on how this money is spent
…everyone benefits from the work of the BID
Your contribution goes towards a much larger budget, and we hope that as a business you can see the value of the city centre working together for the prosperity of your business environment.
“Isn’t this another tax on business?”
No!
Your business rates go direct to Central Government.
Your BID levy is passed entirely to Retail Birmingham for investment in key projects and services, identified by local businesses, for your local area.
“What is the Retail Birmingham BID area?”
We focus on the retail and leisure heart of the city centre – a map can be downloaded here.